An event like this only comes along once in a century.
The stars have aligned and given us today, September 2, 2010 or 9 02 10. Genius!
I, of course, am only referring to the original Beverly Hills 90210 and not the newest version on the CW.
In honor of my favorite group of high school students, (sorry Saved By the Bell crew) I’ve created a list of highlights from the decade of awesomeness that is 90210.
Best Character
This is difficult to answer because this cast was really intertwined with each other and each character helped fuel all the rest.
Difficult, but not impossible.
The best character to come out of Beverly Hills would be Dylan McKay (Luke Perry). Dylan had quite the load to carry. His absentee parents, alcohol abuse, constant fighting with his BFF Brandon Walsh over the skanky wild girl Kelly Taylor, bankruptcy, his father is blown to bits by the mafia (though later he is found alive), falling in love with the mafia chief’s daughter only to have her killed seconds before Dylan can rescue her!
Whew, that is a lot of shit to happen to 1 person over the period of 10 years! Dylan McKay, you’re such a badass and that is why you are the best character EVER.
Worst Character
With the best there, is always a worst. The worst character is definitely David Silver (Brian Austin Green).
David Silver was such a little bitch. He is that guy that is always trying to weasel his way into your group. He’s that annoying parasite you can’t get rid of, no matter how hard you try and dodge him. People like him always seem to have the nose of a bloodhound, they’ll sniff you out, you’re never safe.
David tried and tried to be part of the cool 90210 group. He even ditched his BFF Scott Scanlon (Doug Emerson) to try and be a part of the in crowd. Unfortunately, Scott accidentally shoots himself at his own birthday party and dies friendless. Should have been a better friend, David! He eventually becomes a member of the cool group after Kelly’s mom marries David’s father.
After high school David went to college and was the campus DJ but dropped out after becoming addicted to drugs while he was pulling all nighters at the DJ booth. He went on to open the Peach Pit afterdark club, which he was ousted from due to his increasingly poor behavior. Oh, and at some point he tries his hand at being a hip hop artist (hilarious!)! He does manage to snag Donna’s much sought after virginity though!
David, you loser.
Best Episode
There are many fabulous episodes to choose from, but in reality there is only 1 great episode. 3 words. Donna. Martin. Graduates.
Simply the best episode of any teen show ever – this captures Donna Martin’s character to a T. Donna, the virgin, is quite worried about prom night. She has promised her beau, David Silver, that she’ll give it up to him that very evening, though she clearly does not want to lose it yet.
What is a girl to do?! Get druuuuuuuuuuunk and then pass out at the prom, in front of the principal!
This results in Donna being banned from all school events including graduation. Oh, hells no! Donna is beloved my friends, this simply cannot be!
In retaliation the student body, organized by Brandon Walsh and his minions, decides to have a walk out and confront the school board. They rally in front of the administration building chanting, “DONNA MARTIN GRADUATE!”, over and over again until poof! Ms. Martin can graduate with her class and all is well in Bev Hills again. Yay!
Worst Episode
Shannen Doherty’s departure from the original series is definitely the worst time in the series history… well the last 2-3 years were pretty darn bad but Brenda Walsh leaving for London and never returning is the most awful episode of all time.
The show started with Brenda being a nice girl from Minnesota who soon befriends the badass Beverly Hills girls. Brenda would eclipse all of their bad behavior with her own. Starting fights on and off screen, Doherty was the queen of 90210. Her leaving the show was a low point in the series and even though new bad girl, Tiffani Amber Thiessen, was brought on to replace her craziness on the show, it was a sub-par addition. You cannot replicate Brenda.
Longest Running Story Line
There are two possible story lines that could take this prize.
First, the Dylan-Brenda-Kelly love triangle that plagued the series from the first season to the last and Donna Martin’s virginity.
Because Donna eventually loses it to David, before they get married, I’m going with the Dylan-Brenda-Kelly love line story. It was a constant battle to be with Dylan.
Brenda had the bad boy first, but after going to Europe for the summer (at her parents request to get her away from Dylan) Dylan starts hanging out with Kelly and they kiss! Brenda comes back to her boyfriend and eventually they split up and Kelly dates Dylan. Then it’s back to Brenda, then Kelly, then Brenda, then Kelly. AHHHHHHH make up your mind fool! This beat story line is killing me.
In the end, (brought to us by the new version of 90210) we learn that Dylan did end up with Kelly and they produced some offspring. The couple (of course) experienced problems and separated. Brenda comes back into the picture, though it does seem only as friends, and Dylan confides in her, without Kelly knowing. Good lord it never ends!
Luckily for those that watch the new season Luke Perry has refused to reprise his role as Dylan. Now Brenda and Kelly have been ousted and perhaps this story line has finally died.
Happy 90210 Day Everyone! I hope you’ve enjoyed remembering some of the highs and lows with me.
Happy Watching!
– Rachel
random residue by this author:
- Mel Gibson Vs. Christian Bale: Who would kill you first?
- Top Microbreweries in the Northeast U.S.
- Balls of Steel
- Welcome Back, Conan
- Iron Maiden’s €20,000 bar tab
What about Andrea Zuckerman? She was the worst, nagging, old lady-like character of the bunch.